Junior Classes        Secondary School options 

Fun at the Snow Farm for Schools 

Over 75 children from primary schools across Central Otago gathered at the Snow Farm today for a day of ski lessons, exploration, and games as part of the schools’ organized days of skiing programs. The Snow Farm prides itself in helping children and students of all ages explore the beauty of the region’s majestic outdoors by providing equipment, instructors, and logistical support for school groups and clubs.

After making sure each student was comfortable on the snow, Snow Farm Ski School instructors lead the groups of 15 children and their chaperons on a tour of Highlander Trail, reinforcing the fundamentals of cross country skiing technique including staying safe on a downhill, striding technique, and several ways of negotiating steeper uphill sections of the trail.

The students were then treated to games and drills to teach coordination while having fun on cross-country skis. The Red-light /Green-light game offered young skiers a chance to practice their quick-stopping snowplows, as well as brought smiles and laughter to the group. Downhill coordination was reinforced with slalom gates on Mary's Trail, a gentle slope on the south end of the lodge.

The day concluded with sledging on the 3-run tobogganing hill, a treat for all ages after a day on the snow. The young skiers walked away with smiles and memories of a day filled with fun and learning. 

Options year 13, and adaption for other years.

Sample Models used schools use are as follows:

N.B These is examples only and can be adapted to meet your student’s needs.

 

•    Day 1 transport, intro to Nordic skiing, night in lodge, Day 2 morning lesson, tour on trail supervised by school staff, afternoon lesson, return to lodge, Day 3 morning lesson, skills assessment, assessment race.

•    Day 1 transport, intro to Nordic skiing, night in lodge, Day 2 morning lesson, tour to Meadow or bob lee huts, night in hut, night ski, Day 3 morning lesson,  snow cave construction, afternoon tour, night in snow caves next to hut, Day 4 ski to lodge skills assessment and race, transport.

•    Day 1 transport, intro to Nordic skiing, ski to Meadow hut, Day 2 morning lesson, tour from huts, night in hut, night ski, Day 3 morning lesson, snow cave construction, afternoon tour, night in snow caves next to hut, Day 4 Snow show tour and navigation, Night in hut, Day 5 ski to lodge skills assessment and race, transport.

There are so many variations available to suit your needs. If the emphasis is on the assessment scores and the skills acquisition then a lodge based, coaching intensive model works well. If the emphasis is on personal development and adventure (justified through a unit or achievement standard assessment) then getting the students out to the hut is the best model.

 

The Snow Farm is in the process of being sold to a charitable trust. This is great news for the security of the facility and the future of Nordic skiing. The trust is very focused on continuing to develop the education sector of our work. As an indication prices from 2011 season per day each student was charged the following:

•    $12 per day ski rental

•    $12 per day trail fee

•    Ski lesson vary depending on the time & level required. Basic $12  (1-1.5 hrs)

•    $12 per night in hut

•    one free member of staff per 10 students (hut fees excluded)

•    Other staff/adults at student rates above.

•    Transport of luggage by snow mobile to hut $100 per load per direction.

•    per night dinner, bed and breakfast in lodge.( Subjected to Lodge availability and prices )

The huts are being booked very quickly and not necessarily available in the weekends for discounted groups as does the lodge, so please call 04 443 7542  or 021766910 to chat this through with us. We can direct you to the appropriate people who know all educational models and requirement.

Check out the accommodation

Back county huts

Snow Farm Lodge

Snow Park Apartments and Bunkrooms